Church Update

COVID-19’s Impact on Temple Worship and The Tabernacle Choir

The following is an excerpt from a letter from the First Presidency temporarily adjusting temple worship as a result of the ongoing circumstances surrounding COVID-19:

Rapidly changing health conditions around the world have been a source of growing concern. Many governments have placed restrictions that have required the temporary closure of a number of temples. As we have prayerfully sought to balance these limitations with the need to carry on temple work, we have decided to make the following temporary adjustments, which are effective March 16, 2020 for all temples around the world.

–Where government or other restrictions on public and/or religious gatherings would, in effect, preclude temple activity, proxy and living ordinances will temporarily be suspended.

–Where government or other restrictions do not preclude all temple activity, the following temple ordinances for living persons will be accommodated as capacity permits by appointment only: husband-and-wife and child-to-parents sealing ordinances and living initiatory and endowment ordinances. On a temporary basis, proxy temple ordinances will not be performed.

Choir followers will still be able to watch and listen to Music & the Spoken Word broadcasts, but not attend in person. The scheduled Messiah concert on Easter weekend by the Choir and Orchestra will not be live, but fans can still enjoy this world-famous oratorio via an internet stream and satellite broadcast. The spring concert by the Chorale and Orchestra is cancelled.